Big Brother is watching YOU!

[10ClarionSt]

I read in the Sunday Times that John Prescott has instructed local councils to use satellite technology to check peoples' property for extensions, conservatories etc. He says this will ensure that properties are placed in the correct Council Tax band. Talk about Big Brother! Never mind George Galloway. It's John Prescott you've got to watch!

[Lonnie]

I read the same article, its either in place of, or together with these chappies he wants to go into every house checking for the same, he also wants to build on all the Green Belt, in his words, 'the Labour Party invented the green belt, so we can do what we like with it'. I think he's following orders, more money for the Chancellor.

[shaneystar2]

Well..if they can get past my dog they are welcome to have a look !
Seriously though it's a bit of a cheek.I read somewhere that they will have to come into your property and have a look round..see how many radiators and bathrooms you have and so on.
I am not sure if this is not just media hype or not and although Prescotts office have denied that they have plans to do this I still say there is no smoke without fire.It's been in too many papers now for there not to be some some sort of truth in it. Time will tell I suppose and I don't think we need panic until the knock on the door ..if it comes.
I don't think this government want the ordinary working man to better themselves at all.You improve your property just to be taxed more ..your property goes up in value and the inheritance tax threshold comes down and all that you work for ends up in the treasury.And your kids bear the burden when you shuffle of this mortal coil. I am very grumpy at this time of the year and the more I read about this sort of nonsense the more grumpy I get !!
Yours sincerely
Victoria Meldrew.

[luckyboy]

it was in the papers so it must be true.

[GSM7554]

it must be true,man down the pub told me

[brachiopod]

But then again "if you've got nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear"

Now, where did I put my ID card........

[Oneeyedvic]

As I have said previously - why would a council use sateite technology when they could just use their archives for planning permission.

If you want an extension, then you need to apply for planning permission / building regulations. You will have people from the council come round and check on the work to make sure it complies.

Sounds like a typical non-story to me.

[qapmoc]

Seems like it might be a good time to start a company specialising in mail order roof mounted anti spy-sat camoflage systems. You know, make it look like a tree or bushes from space, come to think of it maybe you could put it on your whole house and get out of council tax completely.

[bazwillrun]

around �450,000 has been spent on digital cameras for the inspectors who will be doing the snooping. If they require access to your house to take pictures and you refuse them entry you are liable to a massive fine/custodial sentence (cant remember the exact amount of fine but it was in the thousands, ergo a criminal record. This government has a disgraceful record for criminalising the population , this is just another example

[Kendo]

Perhaps Prescott will use these satellites to check if he has paid his Poll/roof tax.